Daily Republican., 1887-09-03
Dayton Hedge fenoe, Of Dayton, Ohio
CLAyMosr, Del, Sept. l, 1887.
M TouHaAH.

"a II bOhH1Ons
The farmers in this State, and espe-
cislly in New CASTLE County, have for
some time past been seriously consider
ing the fencing mstertal for the future.
Our forests have disappeared, or have
been culled Of their durable timber to
such an extent that tow farmers now
supply their fences entirely from their
own resources. Various expedisuts
are open TO objections on the charge
these times when the margin of p,oti c
on the best fArms 10 narrow, the q ues
tion of profit or loss 10 often detsrmi ned
by tho cost OF the fences.
Wire fencss In their 0diHcations
have received most favor, but are open
TO the objt tCtion that to be reliable rs q
fence they must be OF such character
~ TO be dangerous, - none bus barbed
wire will restrain stock inclined to mis-.
chief. 30 many accidents have hap.
pened to stock from bArbs that farmers
now hesitate 70 use them.
Live hedges Of thorn, 20 exclu Aively
planted half century since when land
WAS comparatively cheap, whilst re
gArded ~ ornament tai and desira BILE for
outside and road fences, are discarded
as internal fences, because they req uire
too much space and absorb too much
moisture and fertility.
The osags hedge 10 deemed superio ior
on account OF rapid and healthy srow th
and long life, but 10 open 70 the obiec.
tion Of . greedy feeder whose roots In.
jure all crops In Its immediate neigh
borhood.
Alive TO the importance OF the sub
iect, the Farmers Club, OF Brandy
wine, embracing In Its mem bership
many OF tho most substantial NJ we'll q,
some Of the most intelligent farmers ol
the State, have discussed the Bubiec,
and have endeavored by practical ex.
pertments TO determine the cheapss q,
effective fAfm fence.
During their investigations the com
mittee received an Invitation from Mr.
johnson, Of the Dayton, Ohio Hedge
Company, to visit and examine th,
hedges set and mAnsged by his com.
pAny on farms In the vioinity OF Tren
ton. N. j Accordingly on the 1st dsy
OF September the committee, accompa
MED by several intelligent iarm ers O.
the State. visited Trenton, where they
were met BY Mr.. johnson, who enter
tsined them Hospitality and drove then
around In carriages from fsFm to far
where they had the opportunity o
making . thorough examination O
osage hedges, from the preparation O
the ground and through all the stage,
Of growth into perfect hede
And further, they saw some old ne
elected hedges that had long sinoe sur
sived their usefulness, converted in ,
single year into the mast com plete apt
effective fences, occupying bat littl
more spAce than Q post and rail struc
ture. This Improvement WAS made II
. spaces IN The old hedge that was lef
\ standing as contrast 10 show what al
excellent thing could be made, by
little skill and labor, from O psfect q nj
ssnce, and ELECTED from the comm! tie
the most hearty praise.
believe this company has o pasen
on their hedges, and whilst we yer
fully instructed in the arts and myfte
ries OF planting and growing perfec
hedges, we are prohibited from usin,
their processes. The prohibition is not
serious matter, IS We can join the &C .,
pany By payment Of . certain sun
/ ~hich insures MS the planting and tn
care OF Q certain smount of hedge t,
such . period rs 1t will be o gu bet sn tia
, fence, and this OF . cost less than our
selves could accomplish in the Gam,
time and manner.
Going into figures, the company will
plant, dress, wire and shape a fenc,
through four years at the rate OF fv,
hundred dollars per mile, payable II
insiallmepts.
This sum strikes us as pretty stiff, u
DO sure, but can we do better?
j have before me the lowest contrac
price In NUM- Der OF estimates for ,
large job Of fencing with beat Quaiity
OF post and rail material, rs follows
Posts, dressed. $27 90 per hundred
rails, dressed, $l4.LO per hundred; set
ting same, 10 cents per panel.
This will give ninety. three cents tn,
panel, and there being 528 panels to tn,
mile will amount to $49l o., which II
$S.S3 per mile less than the Usage.
Now the life OF post and rail feuc,
10 ten years without re setting, and fiv,
years as an internal or second rat.
fence; say fifteen years In all. In Z
period Of fifty years 1t Is renewed three
and one. third times, at . total cost OF
81, 1886 80 per mile.
An osags ae costing $500 per m LID
will endure for fifty years ut an aDaual
cost for dressing of$l0, making In all q
cost Of 81 Geo per mile. 0 difference In
its favor of $838 so per mile.
The osage is SO treated that tie hedge
at the age Of foCr years, Is wall ol
green ~ feet in height and about one
loot thios, and so closely interwoyen
that n rahhit cnuld mt po thrnuuh IL